Cherry blossoms in the park
Cherry blossom viewing in Japanese: hanami words and phrases
You're friends, having a picnic under the cherry blossoms in spring. Ren speaks first, in casual Japanese: plain forms, without です and ます, the way friends and family talk. Here is how it can begin, and the phrases and words worth having ready.
casualWith Ren, at the park
How Ren opens the conversation
Ren always speaks first. This is the scene's own opening line, with a reply you could give back at the same level:
いい天気だね。桜、ちょうど満開だ。
Ii tenki da ne. Sakura, chōdo mankai da.
Nice weather, huh? The cherry blossoms are in full bloom.
You could say
本当にきれいだね。お弁当食べよう！
Hontō ni kirei da ne. Obentō tabeyō!
They really are beautiful. Let's eat our bento!
Other ways it can begin
No two conversations go the same way, and the first line changes too. Each of these can open the scene:
お弁当、作ってきたよ。おにぎり食べる？
Obentō, tsukutte kita yo. Onigiri taberu?
I made us a lunch box. Want an onigiri?
You could say
わあ、食べる！ありがとう。
Wā, taberu! Arigatō.
Wow, yes please! Thanks.
あ、花びらがコップに入った。
A, hanabira ga koppu ni haitta.
Oh, a petal just fell into my cup.
You could say
本当だ。春っぽいね。
Hontō da. Haru ppoi ne.
You're right. Very spring-like.
実は今朝、早く来て場所取りしたんだ。
Jitsu wa kesa, hayaku kite bashodori shita n da.
Actually, I came early this morning to save this spot.
You could say
えっ、ありがとう。いい場所だね。
E', arigatō. Ii basho da ne.
Oh, thank you! It's a great spot.
お花見、よく来るの？
Ohanami, yoku kuru no?
Do you come to see the blossoms often?
You could say
ううん、今年が初めて。
Uun, kotoshi ga hajimete.
No, this is my first time.
桜をバックに写真撮ろうよ。
Sakura o bakku ni shashin torou yo.
Let's take a photo with the blossoms behind us.
You could say
いいね、撮ろう！
Ii ne, torou!
Sounds good, let's do it!
Phrases worth knowing here
Lines for what you do at the park, each with when you'd say it.
- 満開だねMankai da neThey're in full bloom, huh.Say it looking up at the trees when you first settle in under them.
- ここにシート敷こうかKoko ni shīto shikō kaShall we spread the picnic sheet here?Use when picking a spot to sit before the picnic starts.
- 花びら、髪についてるよHanabira, kami ni tsuiteru yoYou've got a petal in your hair.A small, friendly thing to point out when petals are falling on you both.
- 散る前に来られてよかったChiru mae ni korarete yokattaGlad we made it before they fell.Say it while relaxing, since the blossoms only last about a week.
- 日陰、ちょっと寒くない？Hikage, chotto samuku nai?It's a bit chilly in the shade, isn't it?Use to suggest moving into the sun on a cool spring day.
Words you'll hear
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 桜 | sakura | cherry blossoms |
| 花見 | hanami | cherry blossom viewing |
| 満開 | mankai | in full bloom |
| 花びら | hanabira | flower petal |
| レジャーシート | rejāshīto | picnic sheet |
| 弁当 | bentō | boxed lunch |
| 公園 | kōen | park |
| 散る | chiru | to fall, scatter (petals) |
| 風 | kaze | wind, breeze |
| きれい | kirei | pretty, beautiful |
How polite to be
casual Here Ren speaks casual Japanese: plain forms, without です and ます, the way friends and family talk, and the replies suggested to you match the level you'd use back. The guide to keigo explains the three levels, and when each is right.
Try it out loud
In Unsubtitled, Ren says these lines in their own voice, and answers whatever you say back, typed or dictated, with furigana, romaji, and a translation until you no longer need them.
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Or see every scene, with all four characters.